A Bill of Divorcement Page #4

that the troubles over,

but will you let me

put the case to you?

You can have 50 cases.

Makes no difference.

I've listened, father.

- You're not against me, Sydney?

- Nobody's against you.

- We only want you to listen.

- I've done nothing.

I'm not a drunkard.

I'm not a convict

I've done nothing.

I've been to the war,

the fight

for her. For all of you.

For my country.

What have I get from it?

Not honourable scars,

not medals and glory.

But years in hell.

Then when I get out again,

then the country I fought for,

the woman I fought for,

say to me:

"You've done without

us for so long,

you can do without

us all together".

Thats what it amounts to.

When I was helpless,

they took all I had from me.

Did I ever hurt you?

Didn't I love you?

Could I help being ill?

- What have I done?

- My poor father,

you died.

We cry after the dead,

I always wondered what

the welcome back will be.

- Well you know now.

- I don't say it is hard.

Thanks, thats sympathy indeed!

My wife is full of it, isn't she.

Poor dear! I was married to you once?

I've quite forgotten.

Face it man!

One of you must suffer.

Which is it to be? The whole or the main?

The healthy woman with

her life before her

or the man whose children are

never to have been born?

I say thats going to far.

In this matter Fairfeild,

I cannot go too far.

Come we have a

little chat together?

Just you and I alone.

Quietly.

Very well.

I'll listen to what

you have to say.

You'll be here, Margaret?

Yes, Hilary.

Its providence that

he's come back in time!

Hester, please.

I can't see that you

should go on with

your marriage with

your husband here.

- I have no husband.

- The divorce decree can be anulled.

Hester, Knowing his

history, knowing mine

it isn't possible that you

expect me to go back to him

- He has come back to you!

- You don't know what it means

to want so desperately to feel.

And to feel nothing,

to dread the person who loves you,

to shrink from the look in his eyes.

Do you want him on your

concience all your life?

Sydney!

My poor little Sydney!

I'm all right, mother.

Hilary is coming with me to the asylum

just for formal clearance.

He wants a word with you first.

- Can you manage it?

- Yes.

- Where's Meredith?

- He's coming to take me away.

Good. Sooner the better.

- You be gentle with Hilary.

- Ofcourse.

Yes I'm sure you can.

God be with you, Margaret.

Goodbye my child.

I'll send him in.

- Dr. Alliot!

- Yes my dear?

What you said to father,

you meant I should

never've been born?

I'm afraid I said too much.

Don't take it too seriously.

Then I'll ask you something.

He means everything to me.

Thats my whole life.

Dear, how serious we are!

Terribly serious.

There is insanity in our family,

in fathers family.

Isn't there?

- Well, I...

- Please uncle, I got to know!

- One or two members.

- Aunt Grace?

Grace Fairfield was for a time.

Its in our blood, isn't it?

With father,

it wasn't just shell shock.

It was latent insanity,

brought on by shellshock.

Technically.

Even if I'm fit,

perfectly fit,

if I had children,

it might come out in him?

There will be a risk.

I see. Thanks.

Sydney!

I never met a finer, more splendid,

better balanced girl than you are.

- Thank you, Dr.

- You must forget all these things.

Just be happy.

Your fathrer's waiting for me.

Hilary.

She received.

You'll be gentle with her.

Ofcourse.

Thanks, doctor.

Its al right. I'm going.

I've got to, I see that.

He's made me see.

After he's made it all

right with that place,

I'm going to stay with

him till I can look around.

I'm glad you got a good friend.

Yes, he's a good chap.

He made me see.

He said it and I do see,

but its too late, ofcourse.

Isn't it?

Yes, its too late.

Yet, it wouldn't be

fair to ask you,

- would it?

- Oh, Hilary!

- Hilary.

- No woman can be expected.

You couldn't be expected too,

Could you?

Its what he says.

You made a new

life for yourself.

Haven't you?

There's no room in it for me.

Isn't it?

So its just a case of saying

goodbye

I'm going because I quite see,

that there's no chance

Meg! Meg!

Isn;t there just a chance?

- Hilary, I can't stand this!

- Listen to me, Meg!

I've been alone, so long...

- Hilary!

- I won't trouble you.

I won't get in your way,

but...

don't drive me out alone.

Like I came.

Give me something,

The rustle of your dress,

the cushion where you laid.

Your voice about the house.

You cannot deny

me such little things

things you give your servant.

I'll be your dog.

Like would I beat you,

Hilary!

You promise!

For better or for worse.

In sickness and health.

You can't go back on your promise.

- Isn't fair.

- Anythings fair.

Meg, you don't know

- What misery means!

- I'm learning.

You don't know, or you

couldn't leave me to it.

I've never known you

beat a creature in your life.

I've seen you step aside

for a little creeping green thing

on the path.

You never hurt anything.

How can you hurt me like this?

You can't have changed that much!

Its how you took me before.

Now you're doing again.

Have I? Oh, Meg!

Meg, you can't leave me.

You can't drive me out alone like this.

You can't. You can't!

I suppose I can.

Will you wait for me?

You be here when I get back?

I know you will. Oh, Meg!

God bless you, Meg!

God bless you, Meg!

You mean, God help me.

Well wait, doctor.

I'm coming.

God bless you, Meg.

Bassett, Mr. Humphrey

is at the lower gate.

Will you ask him to come

in the music room, please.

- Yes, Miss.

- Thank you.

- Anything wrong, dear?

- Yes, I've been palled.

What on earths the matter?

- Got dumps?

- Don't be silly.

I'm sorry,

I'm not a mind dear darling.

- If I were, I'll cheer you up.

- Have you said I'll be cheered!

I know you're playing a jike on me?

Come along now, smile!

Don't be such a fool!

What is it, Sydney?

Have I mistaken about this evening,

you expect me earlier?

Good heavens no!

Now that I have been so busy,

I haven't given you a thought.

Would you tell me

what all this is about?

- After all, we were last night here...

- Last night was what?

I've a vivid recollection,

we decided to get married

Oh, yes? Yes, I believe.

You conjured up pictures of

a rugged existence in Canad,

with a herd of scoring children.

Was it two boys, two

girls and a prime minister?

Sydney.

Darling.

I simply don't know you.

Thats just the trouble.

Nunca me has conocido

y nunca me conocers.

You never have,

you never will!

I'm never going

to marry anyone!

haven't the joke

gone on far enough?

I'm bored, terribly bored.

Can't you understand that

Something very extraordinary

must have happened since last night?

That you talk like this!

Why don't you go!

How do you stop taking

me and leave me alone.

I'm going to stay here

you tell me the truth.

Can't you see, i'm trying

to let you down easily?

Can't you accept that and go?

But you're doing it in the

cruelest sort of way, Sydney.

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